West Coast dairy robbed at gunpoint

A man has made off with $100 in coins after robbing a West
Coast diary at gunpoint last night, police say.

The Blaketown dairy, on the corner of Robinson Street and
Blake Street, was held up at 7pm, by a man carrying a pistol.

Speculation quickly spread on social media, prompting worried
residents to lock their doors and check friends and family
were safe.

Officers swarmed into the seaside suburb, setting up
checkpoints. However, residents were allowed to move around.

Greymouth police Criminal Investigations Branch detective
Michel Bloom, said this morning they were still looking for
the perpetrator.

"At 7pm a male wearing black clothing walked into the
Blaketown dairy, has presented a firearm - a pistol - has
demanded money, and subsequently taken off with a sum of
money in coins."

Mr Bloom said $100 in coins and four packs of cigarettes were
taken.

After leaving the dairy, the man, who was not wearing a mask,
ran off in the direction of Blaketown School.

"He ran down Blake Street and from there the direction is
unknown," Mr Bloom said.

Police released details about the suspect, who has been
described as being male, possibly Maori, 167cm tall (5ft 6in)
of medium build and wearing a black hoodie with black track
pants and dark shoes. He also has a beard of short length.

This morning police were still in the process of conducting a
scene investigation which would involve checking for
fingerprints.

He could not confirm if there was any security footage of the
suspect.

Asked if dogs had been used at the scene, Mr Bloom said he
would not go into what had been done so far.

Mr Bloom said they had spoken to witnesses and were
interested in hearing from anyone who might have seen
something at the time.

The dairy was cordoned off while police were investigating
and there was no answer when the Greymouth Star rang this
morning.

A neighbour said he did not hear anything and was unaware of
what had gone on until the police knocked on his door.

He said the police were conducting door-to-door
investigations last night to ask if residents had seen or
heard anything.

The man, who has lived in Blaketown for the past 16 years,
said he had not heard of anything like this happening before.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Greymouth
Police or Crime stoppers 0800 555 111.